Measuring and puncturing tool



April 2, 1935. F. F. STEINER MEASURING AND PUNCTURING TOOL Filed JuneZO, 1952 IN V EN TOR.

[/X F Fri/NEE BY 4 A TTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 2, 1935 T 1,996,217 I H ,MEASURINQ'AND PUNo rURiNe'Too a l :Felii F.-- Stciner, Santa Cruz, Calif,

s licationjm e 20;1932,seri lfno.,tias'zjf' -lolaimss;(eras ng);

The present invention relates to improvements in a measuring and puncturing tooL'and the principal object is to provide a'convenient'means for marking an object for dividing the same into equal parts, and also for effecting an evenly spaced puncturing of an object. While my tool may be used in a large num- I ber of different situations, it was designed by me particularly in connection with the bakery-business, and it is particularly invented to serve for marking a large cake which is to be cut. up into equal parts. It is also intended to serve as a convenient means for puncturing or pricking crackers, wafers, or other products of the bakery which appear on the market withsmall evenly spaced depressions or holes, allowing the air to escape and also enhancing the appearance of the product.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawineQin which- Figure 1 shows a front view of my device in contracted position;

Figure 2 an end view of the same; 7

Figure 3 a section taken along line 33 of Figurel; and I Figure 4 a front view showing the device in expanded condition.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, I wish to have it understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claims hereto attached without departing from invention.

In its preferred form my invention comprises what is commonly known as a set of lazy tongs I comprising a plurality of links 2 of equal length, each set of two links being pivoted together as at 3, and adjacent ends of adjacent sets being connected by upper and lower pivots 4 and 5. The

means of slots 1, in which the lower pivots ride,- the lower pivots being held in the slot by means of suitable heads riding on the outer'face of the bars.

Thebars are even in length, at least from the upper pivot on downward, and are made to project' beyond the lazy tongs at the bottom end,

and are pointed as shown at 8'or otherwise shaped :serveas manipulatingjelements; V

the spirit of the.

tofleavealdesired i-when impressed upon a moreor less-soft object, such as a cake or the like.*:Theltwo end barsland 10' are preferably provided: with curvedpflangesr-ll and I2 which It will be seen that in thismanner by contracting or expanding the lazy tongs'the spacing between the bars can be uniformly increased or decreased. For the purpose of holding thelazy tongsin adjusted position I provide a transverse bar l3 pivoted to the end bar 9 as shown at M, and provided in its bottom edge with a number of teeth 15 which mayengage with a pin 16 projecting from the adjacent bar 6,-whereby the latter bar is held in adjusted relation while all the other bars are held in the sameadjusted and spaced-relation on accountof the interconnection between the links of the lazy tongs. The adjacent edges of adjacent bars'may be slightly ribbed as at "to facilitate handling of the bars and to reinforce the same; The cross bar is preferably sub-divided in inches and smaller dimensions as shown in the drawing, and itsfree end rests in a slot l8 in the bar l2 when the lazy tong structure iscontracted as in Figure l.

The manner of using the device is as follows: Assuming a large piece of cake is to'be cut into a number of equalparts, the lazy tongs are expanded so that the space between the first bar and the last bar corresponds to the width of the entire cake which will cause all the intervening bars to assume positions with. uniform spacing between the bars. All the operator has to do is to place the device over the cake and to depress the points into the cake, whereby proper marks, are made showing to the operator the exact places "where the cuts should bemade. If the number at theoption of the operator. After proper spac-.

ing has been effected, the lazy tongs may be held in the position by means of the cross bar l3.

The same tool may be used for puncturing or pricking articles, such as crackers or wafers,or

any other articles made in the bakery that require 4 puncturing to allow air to escape during the baking.

' When used for this purpose it is .preferably held in the contracted position of Figure 1, in which the bar l3 serves to reinforce the assembled structure against bending, while at the same time the flanges II and I2 may be conveniently held be- I tween the fingers and the palm of the hand with- I out causing any discomfort. I

for holding the barsin adjusted relation.

2. In a tool or the-character described, a plurality of marking bars, means for supporting the same in evenly spaced relation with freedom of uniformly increasing and decreasing the spacing, a cross bar pivoted to one or the outer marking bars for swinging movement adjacent the bars and means for fastening the cross-bar to the adjacent marking bar for reinforcing the entire structure when the tool is contracted or expanded.

3. In a tool of the character described, a plurality of 'mark'ing barsv including two end bars having manipulating flanges projecting therefrom, means for supporting the bars'in evenly spaced relation with -Ireedom of uniformly increasing and decreasing the spacing, a cross bar pivoted to one of the outer bars for swinging movement adjacent the bars, teeth formed along one edge of the cross bar, and a pin projecting from the adjacent marking bar and selectively engageable between any adjacent two of the teeth for holding the marking bars in adjusted relation, the flange of the other outer bar being formed with a slot for receiving the free end of the cross bar for reinforcing the tool when the latter is contracted. v

. 4. In a tool of the character described-a set of lazy tongs having pairs of opposing pivots and marking bars pivoted respectively to the upper pivots and slidable on the lower pivots, a crossbar pivoted to one of the outer bars for swinging movement in parallel and adjacent relation to the marking bars and engageable with the other outer bar for reinforcing the lazy tong structure when the tool is contracted, and a pin carried by the bar that is disposed adjacent to the outer bar carrying the cross bar, said pin being engageable with the cross bar for securing the other bars in the desired spaced relation. I

FELIX STEINEB. 

